Utilizing Your Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

As the new year begins, men and women with Medicare who have currently joined a Medicare drug strategy can take advantage of the new Medicare prescription drug coverage. Because this is a new system for Medicare, you may have concerns about how to use your Medicare drug program. For instance, what if you joined a strategy but haven't received a program ID card in the mail yet? Or, what if your drugs were covered by Medicaid and you are not confident how to get your medicines now? Whatever queries you have, Medicare has answers.

Very first Pharmacy Trip

Here are some ideas individuals with Medicare can use to make confident medicare charges for 2011 their 1st trip to the pharmacy goes smoothly:

• When you very first join a Medicare drug program, you will get an acknowledgement letter in the mail about a week right after you join. Your plan ID card ought to arrive 3 to five weeks later.

• If you need to have to go to the pharmacy just before your ID card arrives, bring the acknowledgement letter from your program, your Medicare and/or Medicaid card, and a photo ID.

• Save the receipts from your pharmacist.

• For extra assistance, call 1-800-MEDICARE, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Individuals with Medicare and Medicaid

If reporting medical fraud your pharmacist is having difficulty confirming what program you are in or whether you also get Medicaid, he can also call a special toll-totally free number that Medicare set up for pharmacists to get aid. People with Medicare who also get Medicaid should be medical fraud able to get their prescriptions filled with minimal copayments and no deductibles.

How to Join a Program

If you haven't joined a Medicare drug program but, don't be concerned. You have till Might 15, 2006 to select and join a plan with out getting to pay a penalty